Improvement in animal traps



@gotten tant gattrtt @fitta HENRY L. ANDERSON, GF SMITHVILLE, INDIANA.

Letters Patent No. 63,603, dated April 9, 1867.

IMPROVEMENT IN ANIMAL TRAPS.

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TO ALL WHOM IT MAY CONCERN:

Be it known that I, HENRY L. ANDERSON, of Smithville, Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Rat Traps; and I hereby declare that the following is a true, full, and exact description of thesame, reference being had to theaecompanying drawings, and to the letters of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1, in the annexed drawings, which-malte a part of this specilication, represents an end elevation of my trap.` Y

Figure Q'is a side view of the same with a part of the easing removed.

The letter A represents the body of my trap, which may be adapted in size to the class of animals for which it is designech Near one side ofthe top of body A are the revolving wheels, B B whichl are connected by the two parallel platforms c c. The wheels BB revolve with their axle fl, which has its bearings in the casing placed on opposite sides of the wheels B B. The outer end of axle 0l is furnished with the pulley o, the function of which will be hereinafter explained. Midway of the platforms c c are the wire bars t, which are placed near the axle d, and divide the space between the platforms into two equal parts. g represents a post of wood or metal pivoted at each end in the platforms c c. To one side of g is attached a hook of wire which works in an' eye formed in the rod s. To the opposite side of g is inserted the wire trigger, m, to which the bai-t is attached. It will be observed that when the trigger m is pushed towards the bars t the rod s will be shoved outwards until its end rests on the edge of the inclined boardE, which is covered with a metal plate to prevent abrasion. As there are two posts, g, one on each side of the axle d, both constructed and operating as above described, the triggers m will both be baited from the end of platform c, which is next to board E. To prevent the rats from being intimidated by entering a dark space, thc end .opposite to the entrance is furnished with a wire grating which is attached to the ends of the casing which encloses thewhecls B B. By this arrangement the light is freely admitted into the space between the platforms c c. Extending through the body A is a partition, I), (see dotted lines in iig. 1.) Connected with this partition is a wire trap-door, L, through which the rats can pass from the compartment in which they are entrappod, but cannot return to it again. To admit the light into the larger compartment of A, the grating is used, and also a sliding door, adjusted at one end for removing the vermin within. To the side of the casing, and near the pulley o, is fastened the upright N, which also hasa pulley, L, adjusted to its upper end. In orden to operate the wheels B B, with platforms attached, a cord is wrapped around pulley 0, then passedovcr pulley 71, and to the pend-ent end a suitable weight is attached.

In operating my trap the following rules will be observed: When the bait is attached to triggers m, the one next to board E must be pushed back to the grating t. By this operation the rod s will be projected until it rests on board E, and the trap will he set. lVhen a rat takes hold of the bait and draws it towards him, the end of rod s will be withdrawn from its support on E,iand the weightof the rat, assisted by the weightat the end of the cord, will revolve the wheels B B and precipitate the rat into the chamber belbw. In the mean time the wheels B B will perform a semi-revolution and bring the opposite end of platforms c coutwardfso that the rod s will rest on board E and the trap again be set by its own operation. It may De remarked that a spring may be substituted for the cord and pulleys.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. The revolving box provided with two platforms, so arranged that in each semi-.revolution of the bore-an inverted action of .the platforms takes place, causing the trap to be again set iu the same positionas before.

2. 'lhe employment of rod s and triggers m m, so arranged that the animal in trapping himself forces said rod hack, leaving it in position to reset the trap upon each semi-revolution of the box.

H. L. ANDERSON.

Witnesses:

THEoDoRn THnAsHER, W. W. CnAssrIuLD. 

